While one of the best right-backs ever in Barca history, Dani Alves, is preparing for new life in the blue half of Manchester, Barcelona are still ruing their decision of letting him go (for free) last summer, and the Catalans still haven’t found a perfect replacement for the Brazilian.

Roberto and Vidal aren’t upgrades nor equals to Alves in this all important position, and getting an excellent fullback in the mould of the explosive Brazilian defender is pertinent if Barcelona are to return to their dominant best in coming seasons.

With the summer transfer window set to provide new manager Ernesto Valverde an opportunity to get a much-needed quality right-back, a keen look is taken at a trio that looks capable of delivering the goods Barcelona have so badly missed.

Cedric Soares

The Portuguese is perhaps one of the most underrated fullbacks on earth right now, and without a doubt, the Southampton ace is one player who can actually provide Barcelona with steel in defence and an equally viable attacking power.

At 25, he is beginning to reach his prime and his exploits in the role with Portugal at the Euros last summer and the ongoing Confederations Cup hint at why he could be the perfect man for the job.

A Cedric-Messi combination would be lethal for oppositions to handle, that’s for sure.

Elseid Hysaj

Photo via Getty Images

Given that Barcelona can really do with some height at the back, the Napoli right-back is one option that ticks that particular box as he stands relatively tall at 6ft.

The 23-year-old Albanian will not only represent a good buy, but a prospective long-term option, and it wouldn’t be very hard to land his signature compared to what a Bellerin, Serge Aurier or Walker would cost the club.

Hysaj isn’t the best crosser of the ball there is, he makes up for that weakness with his perfect passes as evident in the 86% pass accuracy he recorded in the Serie A last term.

Mariano

Photo via Getty Images

The Sevilla man is a long-term target of the club as he was one of the options that got on its transfer radar once Alves departed, and going all out for him this summer could finally work out.

At 31, the Brazilian is far from a long-term option but he is without any doubt a player capable of getting the job done on a top level for at least 2 or 3 more seasons.

His La Liga experience makes him a suitable addition to the fold, and his all-round qualities make him your typical Barcelona right-back.

Mariano is a player for the perfect crosses and key passes, while his top-notch defensive contributions are also second to none – a feature often missing in the modern day right-back.

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